Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-13
Tunnel south Carolina Avenue.

10 the Edltor OF HE EVENING STAR:
Let the Baltimore branch Of the Baltimore and
OHIO Railroad curve off to the southwark from Its
present track, beginning at point far enough be-
yond Mills station 10 permit tunnel under Bia-
densburg road, thence due south through the
valley TO the westward OF tue Reform School untn
the Eastern Branch is reached, along which proceed
0anneiing Benning's road TO point opposite the
end OF South Carolina avenue then tunnel straight
under that avenue to Reservation II, and up Viz
ginia avenue to the proposed union depot at 7th TO
9tn streets.
Let the Metropolitan Branch of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad curve off toward the southeast
at point about half a mile south OF Brooks STA
ton, making cut through depression that eX-
lists In the ridge just south OF Harmony Cemetery,
thence between the race course and Ivy City,
thence through a tunnel under the Biadensburg
road, near the western end Of Dr. Palmers place,
and thence down the valley along the base OF MI.
Hamilton, until q junction Is reached near the
Eastern Branch. Then the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad might leave its present track at point
just south OF Bennings road and run over new
bridge straight TO Virginia avenue tunnel &C.
These routes are based on consideration OF the
typographical features OF the country and afford
the best nal ural routes by which to enter the city.
The lay OF the land is such that the proposed tun-
nelS under Bladensburg and BenntngS roads would
not necessitate the changing OF the present grades
OF the roads, and both branches or the Baltimore
and OHIO would drop down to the riverb easy
grades, and where very little cutting and filing
would be required. South Carolina avenue has an
elevation OF 20 TO 30 feet nearly its whole length,
and this TUNNEL would be about u miles iOug,
reaching from near the river almost 10 New Jersey
fOur-uracS tunnel might be Quilt without en-
dangering the foundation OF any house. The ma
teriai taken from the tunnel would build The re-
qulred fills up and across the Eastern Branch.
The following are some OF the advantages which
IL Is believed this proposition Possesses: Gives
route which would probably be acceptable to
everybody, and 10 which not a single objection
could reasonably be raised. Gives the Baltimore
and Ohio the shortest route that could he had
consistent with the interests OF the cit from the
proposed union depot TO Baltimore, and lengthens
the Metropolitan branch only about half a mile.
Gives the Baltimore and Ohio the best natural
routes geographically cOnsidered) and the cheap
est TO build by which 10 enter the city. Shortens
the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad about nalf
mile. Gives route over which both roads could
maintain the highest rate OF speed east OF New
Jersey avenue. Tue new routes run through To-
calities where land is cheap. Requires no tunnels
Expense OF city tunnel could be divided between
the two railroads. No railroad appears on the
where the freight depot has been proposed. ri
street northeast is a great thOroughfare, over
which the trdvei from Bladensburg and BenningS
roads passes, and a grade railroad across that
street, which is proposed In the routes hereto
fore suggested, is very Objectionable, to
sly nothing of any other streets. No
North or East Washington If it can be avoided by
any feasible plan; and 1t can be avoided by this
densburg roads, and avoids interference with the
new Eastern Branch bridge at the end or PennSyl-
vaula avenue Crhe b. and p. r. K tracks that
exist at present from Reservation II to Benninys
road Will be abandOned). VIII not depreciate tine
value of single foot or land, (Which other routes
would dol: VIII enhance the value OF much prop
erty by Withdrawing The presence or Objectionable
railroads, (Which Will remain II either OF the
other routes be adopted) Takes away all the
tracks for a mile to the north OF Boundary, max
Ing that section more desirable for residences.
The abandoned rOadDeds can be used for avenues,
which are needed by the sections through which
they run. Especially could there made nagnifi-
cent direct and almost level avenue to Ivy City
aud beyond. Also, the old railroad bridge across
Eastern Branch, could be Appropriated TO public
lddtf M n IN IL
ties for communication with Maryland.)
Finally, avoids all objections that have hereto
fore been made TO all other suggested routes AS
an option, use North Carolina avenue In lieu OF
South Carolina avenue. G. b. HEMINGWAY